Families who loved The Right & the Real by Joëlle Anthony often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is exploring themes of autonomy, questioning family values, or witnessing peers struggle with housing instability. The story follows seventeen-year-old Jamie, who is forced into homelessness after refusing to join the manipulative religious cult her father has embraced. It is a raw, realistic portrayal of survival that highlights the importance of finding one's chosen family and the courage required to stand by one's personal truth. While the subject matter is intense, the book offers a hopeful look at resilience and the community resources available to youth in crisis. It is most appropriate for high schoolers due to its mature themes of neglect and survival. Parents will appreciate the way it validates the difficulty of setting boundaries with parents while providing a roadmap for emotional and physical independence.